Device for raising or lowering coffins



(No Model.)

J. H. ZOOK. DBVIGE FOR RAISING 0R LOWERING GOFFINS.

Patented Aug. 17,1897.

'3, $571 WmdzrZaI-n- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JACO I-I. ZooK, OF GUNN CITY, MISSOURI.

DEVICE FOR RAISING OR LOWERING COFFINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,307, dated August 1'7, 1897.

Application filed May 3, 1897. $erial No. 634,922. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB H. ZOOK, of

- Gunn City, in the county of Cass and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Raising or Lowering Goffins; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains 'to make and'use the same.

a perspective view of an apparatus embracing the improvement.

1 1 indicate the side boards of a suitable rectangular frame, and 2 2 the end pieces thereof, the said boards being set upon edge and framed together in any substantial manner.

3 3 indicate legs hinged at 4 to the ends of the side boards 1, four in number, two upon each side, as shown.

5 indicates a suitable longitudinal rod or bar secured in the upper portion of the end boards of the frame and projecting beyond said boards, as indicated.

6 indicates a transverse shaft arranged centrally of the length of the frame in suitable bearings in the side boards 1, and provided at one end with a crank-arm 7 -'forro tating said shaft.

8 indicates a drum placed upon the shaft and extending between the frame side boards and provided centrally of its length with a flange or collar which serves to divide the drum into two parts and to guide the ropes connected therewith,*as will appear. Upon the side board adjacent to the crank-arm 7 may be pivoted a suitable latch, adapting it to be engaged with a ratchet or disk mounted on the end of the shaft adjacent thereto for holding the shaft at any desired point in its rotation; The rod 5 is provided at its projecting ends withvertically-arranged paral lel cheek plates or flanges in which is journaled a grooved pulley or roller 10.

11 11 indicate ropes or cords secured at one end to the drum 8, one upon each side of the central collar, the one to wind over said drum and the other underneath said drum, so that the rotation of the drum simultaneously operates said ropes to wind ,or .unwind the same. These ropes extend through suitable guide-eyes 12 12 on the rod or bar 5, and thence over the guiding-sheave 10, and down underneath the pulley-block 13 and up, having their ends,after passing under said pulleyblock, secured to suitable pendent hooks or rings 14 on the bar 5.

15 indicates an arm pendent' from the pulley-block and provided on its lower end with a suitable loop or stirrup adapted to engage hooks on the ends of straps 16 16 passing around the casket, as indicated.

WVhere desired, the pulley-block 13 may be made double-thatis, carrying two independent pulleysand the cord 11, instead of terminating at the pendent loop or eye 14, may be extended over the sheave of a pulleyblock connected therewith, thence down under the second pulley of the block 13 and up again to connect with the bottom of the pulley-block connected with the eye 14, in a manner that will be readily understood, this arrangement giving increased power for raising and lowering heavy weights when required.

As will be seen, the rod or bar 5 is provided with a series of pendent eyes 14, and the inner ends of the ropes or cords 11 may be connected with any one ofthese, according to the length of the casket to be handled, in the manner indicated by the dotted lines in the figure, the cord 11, when attached to the outermost of said eyes, being adapted to the longest caskets and when attached to the inner eyes nearest the center of said 'rod adapted to the shortest casket, the intermediate eyes adapting the cords to caskets of intermediate length. The end pieces 2 of the rectangularfranie are provided with pendent arms 17 and the hinged or folding legs 3, at a suitable point below their hinges 4, are provided with eyebolts or screws 18, to which are pivoted rods 19, having hook ends adapted to engage eyes or perforations on the pendent arms 17 for holding the legs 3 in the properly expanded or bracing position. A series of eyes may be formed 011 the pendent arms 17, if desired, for regulating the expansion of the legs 3 when in operation, according to the nature of the ground operated upon in raising and lowering the casket, for effectually preventing the caving in of the sides of the excavation therein. \Vhen not in use, the legs 3 may be folded against the sides of the main or rectangular frame, thereby occupying less space than would otherwise be practicable. The legs upon the same side of the frame may be connected by a horizontal brace 20, which prevents them from allowing any lateral movement of the frame when in operative position.

The operation of the parts will be readily understood from the foregoing description, the arrangement being such as to adapt the apparatus to enable a single person to perform with ease the labor ordinarily requiring the efforts of several persons for the same purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

The combination with the supportingframe of an apparatus for raising and lowering burial-caskets, of the longitudinally-arranged bar 5 supported on said frame and overhanging its ends and provided in its ends with grooved pulleys and intermediate said ends with pendent hooks 14 for engaging and permitting the adjustment of the ends of the windlasscords, and the Windlass for operating said cords arranged to cross said bar at or near the center of its length, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB I-I. ZOOK.

Witnesses:

F. MCMULLEN, G. W. EsTEs. 

